My Library

A point which must never be lost sight of in endeavouring to unde»stand this elemental evolution is that it is taking place on what is sometimes called the downward curve of the arc; that is to spy, it is progressing towards the complete entanglement in matter which we witness in the mineral kingdom, instead of away from it, as is most otTier evolution of which we know anything. Thus for it progress meaqs descent into matter instead of ascent towards higher planes; and this fact sometimes gives it a curiously inverted appearance in our eyes until we thoroughly grasp its object. Unless the student bears this constantly and clearly in mind, he will again and again find himself beset by perplexing anomalies.
In spite of theSe manifold subdivisions, there are certain properties which ar« possessed in common by all varieties of this*strange living essence; but even these are so entirely different from any with which we are familiar on the physical